Newsagency sales 2023 vs 2022
Stationery sales boosted by gifting products.
Newsagency owner and commentator Mark Fletcher has released the results of his latest newsagency sales benchmark survey with a year-on-year comparison.
The survey involved 117 newsagencies nationally, split between metropolitan, rural, regional and suburban high street.
According to Fletcher, 2023 was a “tough year” for over-the-counter newspaper and magazine sales but revenue declines were compensated with growth from better margin categories.
“Traditional newsagencies with minimal gift, toy and plush products are the ones facing the existential challenge,” he said.
Key findings from the survey included:
- Revenue: Up 2%.
- Sales transaction count: Down 8%.
- Basket value: Up 9%.
- Items per basket: Up 5%.
- Average item value: Up 4%.
- Greeting card revenue: Up 1.5%.
- Magazines unit sales: Down 10.5%.
- Newspaper unit sales: Down 10%.
- Toy (incl. plush) revenue: Up 5%.
- Gift revenue: Up 18%.
- Fashion: 65%. 8% of those in the study have this category.
- Stationery revenue: Up 9%. This is also an unfair measure because stationery now includes plenty of gifting items.
Date Published:
27 February 2024